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• Off Trail Hike: Little River Headwaters, Off-Trail

  • When
    06/07/2025

  This hike explores the Little River headwaters where mountain-top raindrops first emerge from cold underground labyrinths into steep highland springs, coalescing tributaries, boulders, cascades, and pools plunging downward from the ridge-line spruce groves.

  First, we descend north-westward (down to ~4000’) from Collins Gap on the Kuwohi Road. Then, we ascend an adjoining tributary back up to Kuwohi.

  Prior off-trail experience is needed. Plan for a steep 1700’ descent and then a steep 2600’ ascent, completely off trail in highland spruce forests and on brushy rocky creeks. Expect lots of natural beauty. Also, expect lots of vigorous rock hopping, climbing and wading. Wet feet guaranteed.

  Email the leaders for more information and to register:

  Leaders: Larry West | 865-441-1947 | drwest1500@comcast.net Rick Parks | 865-466-4694 | rickafur1@gmail.com 
  

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• Annual National Trails Day Event

  • When
    06/07/2025
  •  
    7:00 AM
  • Location
    Sugarlands Visitor Center, Large vehicle parking lot

  Join us to celebrate our club’s 28th annual NTD event! Each year, nearly 100 volunteers come out to help rehab the 12-mile-long, high-use trail sections, between Double Springs and Icewater Springs shelters. Volunteers are divided into teams of 6-8 individuals and assigned to work a section roughly 1-1.5 miles long. A picnic-style meal and door prizes are provided at the end of the workday.

  REGISTRATION DEADLINE: MAY 24, 2025

  WORK DATE MEET-UP TIME: 7 a.m. at Sugarlands Visitor Center, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 1420 Fighting Creek Gap Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. From there you will receive crew assignments and drive to your trailheads. Picnic will be at Metcalf Bottoms at 5 p.m.

  WHAT TO WEAR: Layered clothing, boots or sturdy shoes (no open-toe footwear).

  WHAT TO BRING: Plenty of water, RAIN GEAR, lunch, snacks, work gloves, sunscreen and bug repellant.

  REGISTRATION FEE: Registration is free, but if you want a commemorative T-Shirt the cost is $20. The shirt has a new design each year, and we encourage everyone to get the T-Shirt and wear it to help us advertise the event. 

  PLEASE NOTE: Your registration serves as your commitment to attend, since T-Shirts and the afternoon picnic are being ordered, and crews will be built based on our registrations.

  DONATIONS: Monetary donations may be made at smhclub.org/donate. Please list NTD in the comments section.

  QUESTIONS? Email Taylor Weatherbee tweatherbe@aol.com

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• Mount Noble

  • When
    06/14/2025
  •  
    7:00 AM
  • Location
    Sugarlands Visitor Center GSMNP

  Register

  This hike will use a short car shuttle to combine trails on GSMNP and the Cherokee Reservation Fire Mountain Trails. We’ll begin in the park at scenic Mingus Mill, and follow the Mingus Creek Trail to a four-way junction with the Deeplow Gap Trail. A short section of easy manway leads to an isolated service road on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. We follow the service road to the old Mt. Noble fire tower, with views down toward the Oconaluftee River Valley. From the tower, we will follow the Fire Tower Trail, which is part of the free Cherokee Fire Mountain Trail system, back to our cars at the Oconaluftee Indian Village.

  Total distance is 7.5 miles, including 1900’ of climb, and is rated moderate.

  Carpool from Sugarlands Visitor Center (in the overflow/bus lot area) ready to leave at 7AM. The drive to Mingus Mill is 65 miles round trip. $0.07/mile rounded to $4.50 cash to the driver.

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• Sunday Hike: Middle Prong Trail Out and Back – Easy Hike

  • When
    06/15/2025
  •  
    9:30 AM
  • Location
    Middle Prong Trailhead GSMNP

  Register

  Enjoy the sights and sounds of Lynn Camp Prong as we hike Middle Prong Trail to the junction with Panther Creek Trail and return for a total of 4.6 miles. Rated easy for distance and ~700 ft. elevation gain.

  For carpooling, meet at Kroger at 244 S Hall Rd, Alcoa, TN at 8:30 am or at the trailhead at 9:30 am. Drive distance 50 miles @ 0.07/mile = $3.50.

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• Wednesday Hike (Key Swap): Kuwohi to Newfound Gap or Reverse

  • When
    06/18/2025
  •  
    8:30 AM
  • Location
    Newfound Gap GSMNP

  Register

  This will be a key swap. This high-elevation hike should provide a respite from valley heat. We will hike through AT sections that our club maintains and through a beautiful conifer forest accented by moss-covered logs and ferns.

  Moderate going down, Difficult going up. 7.9 miles on the AT. Elevation gain: 2691 feet going up or 1141 feet going down.

  To carpool, meet at Kroger in Alcoa, 244 S. Hall Rd., at the SE end of the building, near the old KARM store, and park around the side of the building, ready to leave at 7:00. Drive 100 miles RT {@ 7¢ = $7.00}. Or, meet at Newfound Gap at 8:30. Leader will meet at Newfound Gap.

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• Gregory Bald

  • When
    06/21/2025
  •  
    7:30 AM
  • Location
    Gregory Ridge Trailhead GSMNP

  Register

  On this classic summer hike, we will visit Gregory Bald in hopes of experiencing the flame azaleas in bloom. We will use the Gregory Ridge Trail and climb steadily to its intersection with the Gregory Bald Trail. From there, it’s a short climb to the summit of Gregory Bald.

  If we experience a clear day, a view of Cades Cove and Fontana Lake will also be provided. This is one of the areas visited by national dignitaries when the park was being considered. Join us for this great hike!

  The total distance of the hike is roughly 11.3 miles with 3,000 feet of elevation gain. The hike is rated Difficult.

  Meet at Kroger in Alcoa to carpool at 6:00 am (park on the side of KARM; $0.07 per mile x 72 miles round trip = $5.00 rounded) or meet at Gregory Ridge Trailhead at 7:30.

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• Off Trail Hike: Tater Ridge

  • When
    06/28/2025

  Given the damage to the east end of the park by Hurricane Helene, and the lingering closure of roads in the area, the club is replacing the Big Branch off-trail hike with an off-trail hike featuring Tater Ridge in Cades Cove.

  The hike starts at the Methodist Church on the Cades Cove Loop (parking is limited), follows the Loop Road briefly, then climbs up Rich Mountain Road to the crest of Tater Ridge. The long climb up the open crest of Tater Ridge leads us to a short section of the Rich Mountain Trail. From the Overlook we’ll drop down Cave Ridge to Gregory Cave, and then finally back to the Loop Road.

  Total distance is 6 miles, including 1700’ of climb, and is rated moderate for off trail. 

  Pre-registration with one of the leaders is required:

  Leaders: Hiram Rogers | hiramrogers@yahoo.com | 865-789-5008 Mark Shipley | shipleymark57@gmail.com

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• Club 1st Saturday Work trip - Icewater Springs

  • When
    07/12/2025
  •  
    8:30 AM
  • Location
    Newfound Gap Trailhead

  Register

  The July 12th work trip will install locust logs as box steps and crib walls on a heavily eroded section of trail ¼ mile north of Icewater Springs Shelter. We need a large number of individuals to help carry logs from the Boulevard Junction to the work areas. We will drill holes in the logs and then pin them together with long spikes. The final result will look similar to what the Trails Forever Program has done on other trails in the park. Participants will need to wear sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate attire. Bring gloves, lunch, snacks, and plenty of water. Tools will be provided. If you have a favorite tool you prefer to use, please bring those as well.

  Carpool from the Sugarlands Visitor Center RV Parking Lot at 8:00am. The alternative meeting point is at Newfound Gap trailhead at 8:30am.

  Contact: Franklin LaFond 678-464-3380 ox97GaMe@aol.com

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• Club 1st Saturday Work trip

  • When
    08/02/2025
  • Location
    AT

  Register

  Each season, several hundred pounds of hardwood mulch are used at each of our backcountry privies to aid in proper composting. This work trip will focus on packing mulch to one or more of our backcountry privy locations that is less than 3 miles from the trailhead. Mulch is put in 20 lb. bags for carrying. The club has extra backpacking-style backpacks if needed. The SMHC Newsletter will provide details on what to bring and where we will meet.

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• 2025 Election Picnic

  • When
    08/09/2025
  •  
    9:30 AM
  • Location
    Victor Ashe Park Pavilion, Knoxville

  Join us for the Club’s Annual Election Picnic!
  Saturday, August 9, at the Victor Ashe Park in Knoxville

  Please make plans to attend!  Bring your favorite dish to share!
   Before the potluck picnic, enjoy the open park space and greenways!
  Play equipment nearby – bring the family!
  Meet the current and new Board members, and sign up to lead hikes in 2026!

  9:30am: Hike the Greenway Trails 11:30am: Potluck Lunch Please bring a dish to share! The social committee will provide drinks, paper plates, and utensils. 12:30pm: Business Program Election of 2026 Officers 2026 Hike Leader Sign-Up  12:50pm: Special Guest Speaker Lisa Thomison, Executive Director of the Owl Ridge Raptor Center, and the Center Ambassadors!

  Victor Ashe Park Large Pavilion at 4901 Bradshaw Road

  Owl Ridge Raptor Center Owl Ridge Raptor Center is a nonprofit organization that cares for injured and orphaned birds of prey. These include owls, hawks, falcons, vultures, and eagles. We work closely with local veterinarians and the UT veterinary hospital, as well as a network of fellow volunteer rehabbers. The goal with each bird is full recovery and re-release back into their native habitat whenever possible. Our “ambassadors” are non-releasable raptors who help us raise awareness and educate about these fascinating and important creatures. Learn more at owlridge.org Donations will be accepted at the picnic – please give generously! All donations go directly towards the housing, care, and feeding of these wonderful animals!

  No registration is needed – We look forward to seeing everyone!!

  The Social Committee

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• Club 1st Saturday Work trip

  • When
    09/06/2025
  • Location
    Cosby Campground

  Register

  This work trip will focus on treadway rehab in the section between Mt Cammerer Fire Tower and Camel Gap. Access to the work area will be via the 2.5 mile Low Gap Trail, starting at the Cosby Campground. Specific locations of work will be based on prioritization of work needed. The SMHC Newsletter will provide details on what to bring and where we will meet.

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• Club 1st Saturday Work trip

  • When
    10/04/2025
  • Location
    Newfound Gap

  Register

  This work trip will focus on treadway rehab in the section between Newfound Gap to Icewater Springs. This is our most heavily used section of trail, and it sees a lot of wear each season. Specific locations of work will be based on prioritization of work needed. The SMHC Newsletter will provide details on what to bring and where we will meet.

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• Club 1st Saturday Work trip

  • When
    11/01/2025
  • Location
    TBD

  Register

  November is time to start winding down the trail maintenance season. This work day will be focused on cleaning, sharpening, repairing, inventorying, and storing the club’s tools for the winter. The SMHC Newsletter will provide details on what to bring and where we will meet.

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